Friends In Faith

Read Proverbs 13

Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.

Proverbs 13:20

The quality of our friends reflects our quality. Jesus understood the importance of choosing who would surround him during his ministry. The twelve disciples didn’t just happen to become his inner circle; he deliberately picked each man. In the same way, we should choose our friends thoughtfully and carefully.

Friends influence which movies we see, which games we play, and which books we read. They have an impact on our lifestyle. This proverb uses the verb “walk,” hinting at the mutual journey between friends. Just as Jesus went into the mountains to pray over his decisions, we too should seek God for guidance in initiating relationships. We can expect to be affected by our friends. Socializing with people who do not honor God in their words or actions soon nudges us to do the same. At first, it may not be intentional to dishonor God, because it happens subtly. But gradual compromise leads to full rebellion, which in time causes pain and suffering apart from God. A good friend will lead you closer to, not further from, God.

A WORD FOR TODAY

Your companions will influence your destination.

Today, Lord, I will consider how my relationships glorify you. Please show me how I can improve the quality of my company.